Psalm 119 (118):175Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now consider his additional words: "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart" (Psalm 117:2). It appears that the only kind of blessedness referenced here is connected to the previously mentioned. To probe the testimonies of the Lord and to seek Him wholeheartedly embodies the essence of walking blamelessly along the path, to live in accordance with the law of the Lord. Following this, he asserts, "For they that do evil shall not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). We are aware that those who commit wrong may study the Lord's testimonies, preferring knowledge over righteousness; likewise, others may explore them, not to enact righteous living, but to discern how to do so. These individuals do not yet walk blamelessly within the Lord's law, thus they have not attained blessedness.

It is written and affirmed in this psalm: "They that do evil shall not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). We must strive, with God's assistance, in whose hands we and our words dwell (Wisdom 7:16), that what is stated rightly is not misinterpreted, causing confusion for the reader or listener. We ought to be cautious of the saints' reminder: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8-9). If we assume they do not walk in the Lord's ways, since sin is evil, it would contradict the reality that they clearly journey along His path. Alternatively, if it is evident that they do follow the Lord's ways, it cannot be claimed that they are without sin, which would certainly be incorrect. The intention here is not merely to prevent pride and arrogance; it is underscored by, "and the truth is not in us," implying that it would be more fitting to declare, "humility is not in us." The subsequent remarks illuminate the point, alleviating uncertainty: "If we confess our sins, He, being faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

What then does it suggest: "You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly?" (Psalm 118:4). Have you taken from us too much? Or perhaps given too little? Regardless of which interpretation we adopt, the implication seems contrary to that esteemed principle praised by the sages of Greece and esteemed by the Romans: "Do nothing excessively." Yet the Latin term "nimis" sometimes conveys a meaning distinct from this common understanding, often found in Scripture and in our conversations. When we say, "You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly," we might perceive it as an abundant understanding. Similarly, when expressing to someone we cherish, "I love you too much," we do not imply an excess but rather a profound depth of affection.

Oh, if only, he expresses, "my ways may be so aligned that I might keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:5). You have truly taken upon Yourself this burden: Oh, if I could comprehend the weight of what You bear. When you hear this, recognize the language of desire; upon understanding the yearning inherent, let go of any presumption of pride. Who can claim to yearn for something within reach such that they can achieve it alone? Therefore, if one longs for what God commands, they ought to beseech God to enable them to fulfill His commands.

"I will not be put to shame as long as I keep all Your commandments" (Psalm 118:6). We should regard God's commandments when they are recited or recalled, much like one observes themselves in a mirror, as the Apostle James suggests (James 1:23-25). This individual desires to become so aligned with God's statutes that they can observe them in a mirror without confusion, choosing to be not merely a hearer but a doer of the word. For this reason, he longs for his path to be straight so that he might uphold God's laws. How can one achieve this straightness except through God's grace? Without it, one will discover that the law, rather than being a source of joy, becomes a cause for disarray, if one desires to engage with commandments they do not intend to follow.

"I will confess to You, O Lord, from the depths of my heart; in this, I shall know the judgments of Your righteousness" (Psalm 117:7). This is not merely a confession of sins but one of praise, akin to when it is declared, "In whom there was no sin, I confess unto You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth" (Matthew 11:25), and as noted in the book of Ecclesiasticus, "so confess all the works of God, that they are very good" (Sirach 39:15-16). Therefore, he proclaims, "I confess to You according to the guidance of my heart." Should my paths be made right, I will then offer You praise, for this is Your work and not mine.

He continues: "I will keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:8). But what follows? "O leave me not even too much!" or as some versions state, "not excessively." While God might have forsaken the world in its wilderness of sins, He would have abandoned it utterly without the strong remedy of grace provided through our Lord Jesus Christ; thus, in response to this plea emanating from the body of Christ, He did not abandon it even to an extreme, for God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).

_____ Origen notes: The life of the soul is revealed in the future tense, for our existence is concealed with Christ in God; thus, it will authentically praise God in its true essence. Apollinarius affirms: I am well aware, he states, that Your judgments, which may seem daunting to others, shall be my assistance; for You will repay each person according to their deeds.

‘My soul shall live and give You praise.’ He is already there with his soul—at the destination of fulfillment, and as one who has already attained what he seeks, he glorifies the Lord. It will be as You have promised, O Lord. I will enter into Your rest, and I will worship Your name forever. However, in nurturing such assurance, he does not rely on his own strength, but on the abundant support of God, or on the powerful workings of God in souls fully surrendered to Him. “And Your purposes shall assist me.” Thus God Himself affirms, “I am with him, I will deliver him, and I will honor him... and I will reveal to him My salvation” (Psalm 90:15-16). All of this resides within the depths of the soul of one who is flowing rightly and bears testimony to the righteousness of his path from the depths of his inner being. He flows and strives with all his might in confident hope, attributing nothing to himself, nor placing his trust in his own capabilities, but fully depending on the generosity of God. The assurance of salvation is nourished and strengthened by the truth that the way of salvation is established by God, who, as our Savior, has walked through it in human form. Having traversed this path and now in glory, the Savior declares, “Walk in this way, and you all shall arrive at this place.” Who, believing and witnessing this, will succumb to confusion? They will not waver; everyone has faith that his soul will thrive if he travels diligently along the path appointed by God. But whether he will persevere is the question. He will, provided he does not depend on his own strength but wholly surrenders to the Lord’s guidance. “You merely need to move your feet and avoid stumbling, and I will certainly lead you to the end of the journey, to the place of rest and home.” Whoever is assured that God, desiring to save all, will indeed save those who earnestly seek salvation—those who do not remain idle but strive with all their strength in accordance with God’s leading—will be saved by Him, as He reveals the path and grants them strength. Such assurance is sacred and signifies not only righteousness but also significant progress in the spiritual journey, for it is the culmination of diligent effort, substantial purification of the heart, and concrete experience of God’s protection and intercession.